is an epi-anecic earthworm, normally occupying a 1–2 m deep, vertical burrow. Some observations suggest that population persistence in much shallower burrows could be possible in a mild and humid climate. This was further investigated at an ex-industrial site in NW England, with a topsoil less than 0.15 m deep, above inert subsoil formed from semi-weathered Leblanc waste. were collected from an adjacent woodland soil and introduced into unoccupied areas. After four days, settlement and survival were studied by targeted sampling of half of the individuals, and depth of burrows were measured by resin casting. After 14 months, the second half of inoculated areas were studied and after another four years a further general survey occurred. After four days, 41 % of targeted worms were recovered, with 0.11 m mean burrow depth and burrows ending at the subsoil interface. After 14 months, all age classes of were present and burrow depth had not changed. After five years, adult, juvenile and hatchling were present, demonstrating establishment of a breeding population. In a parallel laboratory experiment, with site topsoil and subsoil in Evans’ boxes, avoided subsoil and constructed U-shaped burrows. The results show that through flexible burrow construction, can survive above highly constraining subsoil conditions. This is likely to be only possible where severe droughts are uncommon, and topsoil does not freeze in winter.

中文翻译：

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地龙穴居的行为灵活性

是一种表层蚯蚓，通常占据 1-2 m 深的垂直洞穴。一些观察表明，在温和潮湿的气候下，种群可能会在较浅的洞穴中持续存在。在英格兰西北部的一个前工业地点对此进行了进一步调查，该地点的表土深度不到 0.15 m，位于由半风化的勒布朗废物形成的惰性底土之上。从邻近的林地土壤中收集并引入无人居住的地区。四天后，通过对一半个体进行有针对性的采样来研究定居和生存，并通过树脂浇铸测量洞穴的深度。14个月后，对后半部分接种区域进行了研究，又过了四年，进行了进一步的普查。四天后，41% 的目标蠕虫被回收，平均洞穴深度为 0.11 m，洞穴终止于底土界面。14 个月后，所有年龄段的动物都出现了，并且洞穴深度没有改变。五年后，成体、幼体和幼体出现，表明繁殖群体已经建立。在一项平行的实验室实验中，埃文斯盒子中的表层土和底土被避开，并建造了 U 形洞穴。结果表明，通过灵活的洞穴施工，可以在高度受限的地下条件下生存。这可能只有在严重干旱不常见且表土在冬季不结冰的情况下才有可能实现。